Swimming nationals start on Friday<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Swimming Federation of Indonesia (PRSI), while conceding
\nits athletes lag behind their peers in the region, is hoping for
\nnew national records when swimmers from 23 provinces compete in
\nage group nationals this weekend.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the national championship organizing committee
\nLukman Niode said on Tuesday that 276 men's and 177 women's
\nswimmers would compete at Senayan swimming pool in Central
\nJakarta from Friday to Sunday<\/p>\n
\"We hope swimmers could break national records in the national
\nchampionship,\" he told a press conference.<\/p>\n
According to Lukman, a national record breaker will receive a
\nbonus of Rp 10 million (US$1,050), while an age group national
\nrecord breaker will get Rp 2 million bonus.<\/p>\n
The championship features five age groups: senior (above 18
\nyears), age group I (15-17 years), age group II (13-14 years),
\nage group III (11-12 years) and age group V (under 10).<\/p>\n
The national championship is the first event held by PRSI
\nunder the leadership of newly appointed chairman Purnomo
\nYusgiantoro, who is also minister of energy and natural
\nresources.<\/p>\n
The championship will begin on Friday in two sessions, from 9
\na.m.to noon, and from 2 p.m.<\/p>\n
Lukman said that the national championship, which is also part
\nof the preparations for the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in Manila
\nlater this year, was a crucial part of the effort to improve the
\nperformance of swimmers.<\/p>\n
\"Our current group of swimmers is unable to compete with those
\nfrom other countries in Southeast Asia,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"It's in contrast to the situation in the late 1970s and early
\n1980s when we dominated the swimming competition in Southeast
\nAsia.\"<\/p>\n
The federation has also sent swimmers to train in the U.S. and
\nAustralia.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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